Ceiling suspension runner

ABSTRACT

The invention herein is a ceiling suspension runner which is adapted to be mounted below an existing suspended ceiling structure to permit the mounting of a new ceiling structure below an existing ceiling structure. The suspension runner is sized to fit between two existing grid runners of an existing ceiling system and is provided with a hook structure so that it may be hung from the existing grid runner structures. This new suspension runner then permits a second ceiling to be mounted below the existing first ceiling to provide a replacement ceiling without the removal of the first ceiling structure.

[451 Apr. 30, 1974 CEILING SUSPENSION RUNNER [75] Inventor: James C. Ollinger, Lancaster, P217 [73] Assignee: Armstrong Cork Company,

Lancaster, Pa.

[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 304,777

[52] US. Cl 52/489, 52/144, 52/495 [51] Int. Cl E04b 5/55 [58] Field of Search 52/475, 476, 484, 483,

9/1891 Streeter 52/488 3,055,469 9/1962 Byssing 52/475 3,058,172 10/1962 Phillips 52/475 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 651,937 4/1957 Great Britain 52/484 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention herein is a ceiling suspension runner which is adapted to be mounted below an existing suspended ceiling structure to permit the mounting of a new ceiling structure below an existing ceiling structure. The suspension runner is sized to fit between two existing grid runners of an existing ceiling system and is provided with a hook structure so that it may be hung from the existing grid runner structures This new suspension runner then permits a second ceiling to be mounted below the existing first ceiling to provide a replacement ceiling without the removal of the first ceiling structure.-

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures CEILING SUSPENSION RUNNER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention herein is directed to a ceiling suspension structure and, more particularly, to a special suspension runner for a suspended ceiling system.

2. Description of the Prior Art The invention herein is an improvement over conventional ceiling systems. Suspended ceiling systems are old in the art and have been used for a large number of years. The systems are basically composed of a metal grid system which holds the ceiling boards in position. The grid system is formed usually from inverted T- shaped runner members. The heavier runner members which run in one direction across the ceiling are referred to as main runner structures. Running between adjacent parallel main runner structures are shorter cross runner structures. The main runner structures and two cross runner structures together define a square-like frame into which is placed a ceiling panel. Normally, the ceiling panel is placed upon horizontal flanges which exist on the inverted T-shaped structure of both the cross runner structures and the main runner structures.

Should a ceiling system become dirty or damaged with time, there are a number of ways of correcting the situation. A dirty ceiling can be repainted. A damaged ceiling can have its damaged panels replaced but normally an overall painting is required to get the proper color match between the new panels and the unreplaced existing panels. However, more and more ceiling panel structures are coming out with ornamental designs therein. Consequently, it is many times desirable simply to replace the ceiling design with a newer ceiling design. Ceiling panels or boards are normally made of a fiber or mineral wool material which is bulky and difficult to dispose of. Consequently, if the disposal of an existing ceiling system can be eliminated, it is many times easier to perform the renewal of an existing ceiling. Also a fire rated ceiling can continue its rating even if the second ceiling is combustible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention herein is directed to a suspension runner which will permit an existing ceiling to be left in place when a new ceiling is installed. Consequently, there is eliminated the need for removing the old ceiling system and then disposing of the old ceiling panels. The invention herein is directed to a suspension runner which will be connected to an existing ceiling suspension grid system and permit the installing of a new ceiling directly below an existing suspended ceiling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of the suspension runner invention herein; and

FIG. II is a side view of a ceiling system with the suspension runner installed therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT" The invention herein is directed to a suspension runner which is specifically designed to be mounted below an existing suspended ceiling system for the purpose of permitting the placement of a second new ceiling systern under the old existing ceiling system. The suspension runner is sized to fit between the existing main runner structure of the existing ceiling system. In FIG. I there is shown the suspension runner 2 of the invention herein. The suspension runner shown is referred to as a conventional Z cross section runner. It consists of two horizontal flanges 4, a vertical web 6, and an upper horizontal flange 8. The invention herein is equally adaptable to the conventional C cross section runner which would have only the upper flange 8, the vertical web 6, and one horizontal flange 4 on the side of the web 6 opposite from the side which contains the upper flange 8. At the end of the suspension runner there is provided a hook structure 10. The hook structure is formed from a tab which is cut out from the flange 8 and bent so that the end 12 of the tab overlies the plane of the flange 8. This forms the hook 10 which is used to fasten the suspension runner in place. A hook 10 is provided at each end of the suspension runner 10.

In FIG. II there is shown a conventional ceiling structure which utilizes the pre-existing ceiling board 14 held in position by two conventional inverted T-shaped main runner structures 16. On the horizontal flanges 18 of the inverted T runner 16, there is mounted the ceiling board 14. Ceiling boards would be mounted on all flanges 18. To replace the ceiling system in a room, it would be necessary to remove the ceiling boards 14 and be faced with the problem of disposing of the ceiling boards 14. The suspension runner of the invention herein is utilized to place a ceiling system below the existing ceiling system and'eliminate the need for disposing of the ceiling boards 14. The suspension runner 2 is sized to fit between two adjacent suspension main runner structures 16 which are normally spaced four feet apart. The hook structure 10 on the upper flange 8 of the suspension runner 2 is hooked over one of the flanges 18 of the main runner structure 16. The suspension runner is held in place by the two hooks on either side of the suspension runner 2 engaging two adjacent main runner structures 16. On the flanges 4 of thenow installed suspension runner 2, there may be positioned the ceiling boards for the new suspended ceiling system.

The invention herein now provides for the mounting of a new ceiling system under an existing ceiling system without the need for the removal of the ceiling boards of the existing ceiling system. The new suspension runner invention herein is simply attached to the existing gridwork for the existing ceiling system and new ceiling boards are then positioned on the suspension runner now held in place on the existing grid structure of the existing ceiling.

What is claimed is:

1. A suspended ceiling system above a floor wherein the existing ceiling system consists of a ceiling suspension gridwork formed from a plurality of inverted T- shaped suspension structures mounted in position in the ceiling in a grid pattern, said inverted T-shaped suspension structures having horizontal flanges upon which are positioned ceiling boards which form the suspension ceiling, the improvement comprising a suspension runner which hasa vertical rib structure and at least one lower flange means adapted for receiving new ceiling boards, and an upper flange structure having attachment means on the ends thereof, said suspension runner being sized to fit between two existing suspension structures of the existing ceiling structure and said attachment means fastens the suspension runner to the horizontal flanges of the existing inverted T-shaped suspension structures so that the flanges of the suspension 7 runner are placed in a plane nearer the floor and underlying the plane of the surface of the existing ceiling boards, and a new ceiling board structure mounted on the flanges of the suspension runners without the need for removing the ceiling boards of the existing ceiling shaped suspension structures. 

1. A suspended ceiling system above a floor wherein the existing ceiling system consists of a ceiling suspension gridwork formed from a plurality of inverted T-shaped suspension structures mounted in position in the ceiling in a grid pattern, said inverted T-shaped suspension structures having horizontal flanges upon which are positioned ceiling boards which form the suspension ceiling, the improvement comprising a suspension runner which has a vertical rib structure and at least one lower flange means adapted for receiving new ceiling boards, and an upper flange structure having attachment means on the ends thereof, said suspension runner being sized to fit between two existing suspension structures of the existing ceiling structure and said attachment means fastens the suspension runner to the horizontal flanges of the existing inverted T-shaped suspension structures so that the flanges of the Suspension runner are placed in a plane nearer the floor and underlying the plane of the surface of the existing ceiling boards, and a new ceiling board structure mounted on the flanges of the suspension runners without the need for removing the ceiling boards of the existing ceiling structure.
 2. The ceiling system of claim 1 wherein the suspension runners are formed with tabs bent out from the plane of the upper flange so as to form hooks which engage the lower flanges in the pre-existing inverted T-shaped suspension structures. 